The following is a list of my upcoming events for the remainder of the year. In addition to these events, I always hold Card Nights on the 3rd and 4th Tuesdays and Thursdays of the month. The fee for Card Night is $7.50(beginning October 1, 2011) which includes 3 cards and envelopes. Glue sticks will be provided, but of you prefer an alternative adhesive, please feel free to bring it. All events are held in my home at 104 North Garfield, Burlington, Iowa:

Monday, August 29, 2011

I know this isn't much to look at. I just wanted something to hold and organize all of my Convention pictures. These were super easy to make. I took a piece of 6 1/2" x 10" cardstock and scored it at 1'', 5 1/2" and 6". I folded it and threw a few staples on the bottom and attached a piece of 6 X 3 1/3 DSP with a 6 1/2" x 3/4" border slapped on the bottom. I don't have very many photos in this suite, but here's a few:

Thanks for stopping by tonight. Come back tomorrow for some more Product Suite photos!

This is the last card from the Summer Mini. This card was made with the stamp set Sunny Fun. I used the 'Spotlight' technique. I thought this was a perfect send off to the last days of Summer. This set is only available until August 31st, so you better get it while it's hot!(Pretty clever of me, huh?

One of the friends I met at Convention shared this Top Note tip for the inside sentiment on dark based cardstock. Great idea!

Sunday, August 28, 2011

The displays and Product Suites set up at Convention were amazing and I took tons of pictures-good thing because only half turned out good! I wanted my downline to be able to somewhat experience all of the creativity and inspiration that I did, so I separated my photos by Product Suites and made some Matchbooks to display them. I wanted to share some of my favorites with you too. Tonite, I'll share some Domestic Goddess ideas with you:

I think Domestic Goddess is my favorite-I definitely took the most pictures of this Suite. I 'm going to be adding these stamps to my next order. I can't wait to create something with them. I hope this has inspires you to do the same! Stop back tomorrow and see another Product Suite. Good night!

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Today I brought a Mini Convention to my downline! We started at 10:30 with the Bag Pick Up. Included with each bag was a pen and sticker sheets from Memento Mall. Since we get stamp sets in our bag at Convention, I gave them each the A la Carte stamp Just Thank You. I also included a wrist band made out of Designer Series Paper for Prize Patrols!

The theme for Convention this year was GROW, so in keeping with the gardening idea, I made a Lollie Flower Pot for everyone who attended using the Grow stamp I bought at Memento Mall. The flowers were a breeze using our new Simply Scored and with the help of an awesome video on Heather Summer's blog, we were able to secure the flowers using Baker's Twine. I used the Spice Cake DSP, Fabric and Designer Buttons that were part of a Title Benefits Bundle that I earned.

Next, we did our Make & Takes using the stamp they got in their bag. They got to try out the new Simply Scored when they made a miniature version of the flower I gave them. I showed them how to make the extended version of the Candy Wrapper that I learned at Convention. We did both sizes and used the Spice Cake DSP to coordinate with their flower pots.

After Make & Takes, we took a break and had pizza. And I hired our wonderful daughter Olivia to make some treats for us. She made 'The Ivy' Chocolate Caramel Bars, Caramel Rice Krispy Bars, Chocolate Toffee Cookies and Lemon Bars-scrumptious! That was pretty much my supper tonight!

After lunch we watched the Workshop Wow DVD that I got at Memento Mall, and all got inspired to try some of the techniques they demonstrated. I pointed out Heather Summers in the video and told them that I had dinner with her at our Artisan Dinner-I felt pretty special!

Of course it wouldn't be Convention without Prize Patrol-so I did several, and everyone went home with something. They weren't quite as generous as what Shelli & crew give away, but I think they were happy to get a little somethin-somethin.

We wrapped up around 3:30 and had a great time together. I'm lucky to have such a great group of girls! We're hoping to go to the Regionals together in the Spring-I can't wait! Then they'll really know what it's like to be spoiled! Stop by tomorrow and check out the Matchbooks I made from all of my Convention photos. Thanks for looking and I'll be back soon!

Friday, August 26, 2011

This is one of the cards we made this month using Touch of Kindness from the Summer mini. It was a very simple card and I'm sure my card ladies appreciated it as the other two cards were quite time consuming. I know I sound like a broken record, but I'm going to hate to see this set go away too. It will only be available for a few more days and I'm going to miss the sweet images and whimsical font.

Well I need to get back to my prep work for our Mini Convention tomorrow. Make sure to stop by and see all the fun things I have in store for my wonderful downline! Have a great night-I have a feeling mine is going to be a short one!

Thursday, August 25, 2011

These are the 3 projects we'll be making at BSFridays! on September 2nd. The small candy wrapper holds a fun size candy bar, and I learned how to make a wrapper to hold a full size candy bar for your super-sized Trick or Treaters! And I came up with the cute little spider using the Flower Folds Die, which holds a Reeses Peanut Butter cup! I'll try to add some close ups, but my hubby went to bed, so I'm on my own...and not 100% sure of what I'm doing! Here goes...

Hopefully you can click on this to see the detail. I used the Flower Daisies #2 Die for the spider. I cut some of the petals off and plopped on a button with 2 Mini Brads for eyes. I scrunched his legs up a bit and he looked like he could have got up and crawled away!

For this wrapper, I just attached a couple of tags to a piece of Basic Black grosgain ribbon with a Mini Brad-love them little things! And I love the fun polka dots in the Frightful Sight DSP.

And here's a close up of my little critter. I sandwiched a peanut butter cup between 2 of the biggest flowers on the die with Sticky Strip. Next, I punched out 7 scallop circles with the 1 3/4" punch. I scored each down the middle with our brand new Simply Scored Board-I highly recommend it!!! I stuck the scallops together with SNAIL and attached the head to the legs with Sticky Strip. I added some eyes with Mini Glue Dots and that's it! Super easy and super cute!

Stop back tomorrow and I'll have one of this months Card Night projects. Thanks for looking!

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Happy Wednesday to you! I was browsing the gallery and came across this darling layout from Jenny Conrad. I changed it up a bit by adding the new In Colors and new Just Add Cake DSP. I think you're almost 100% guaranteed an adorable project using this stamp. This is another one that I will really miss from the Summer mini. It's only around until August 31st, and it's a steal at only $7.95!

I can't stay long tonight, as I need to get back to some projects I'm making for my downline. I'm hosting a Mini Convention on Saturday for them. I figured since they couldn't attend Convention, I'd bring it to them! I'll post photos from our fun day on Saturday evening, so be sure to check back then. And make sure to stop by tomorrow, as I'll have a Halloween Trio to share with you! Thanks for visiting!

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

This card was made using The Open Sea set and Nautical Expedition DSP. I love how these two coordinate so perfectly. I'll be sad to see this set leave-I love the ledger image. I stamped it on the DSP. I stamped it on the inside. I stamped it on the envelope-I couldn't stop! These two products are in the Summer mini and will only be available until August 31st.

I usually struggle with cards for guys, but this one just fell into place.(I hope I didn't steal the idea from someone!) I used the Out Of The Box Technique, added a Game Spinner Hand on the compass and finished it off with an Antique Brad. I hope you like it, and I'll be back tomorrow with aonther!

Monday, August 22, 2011

Sorry that I've been MIA. I had 3 Card Nights and a workshop last week and my mom had an unexpected back surgery! It's been a whirlwind since Convention and it doesn't look like things are going to let up anytime soon. But it's all good!

My dear customer/friend/neighbor Jean came over on Wednesday and showed me how to make a light box and my sweet hubs went and got everything I needed to get set up. This is the first card taken with my new light box! I'm so excited to have finally gotten to this point!

This card is made with the Strength & Hope set from the Summer mini. SU! is donating $2 from every sale of this stamp set to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. This set is only available until August 31st, so if you're interested in purchasing this set and helping this worthy cause, please let me know before the end of the month.

This was one of the 3 cards we made at Card Night last month. Tomorrow , I'll post another card that we made last month, so be sure to check back tomorrow! Have a great evening!

Friday, August 12, 2011

This is the swap that I made for our Artisan Swap Dinner at Convention. I made 18 of these and I don't want to make anymore anytime soon! It was fun to be able to put faces with names and their display boards. We were all amazed by the diversity and creativity of each others projects. It was an amazing evening and this experience has been truly priceless! Thank you for sharing this with me and I hope you'll stop back and visit soon !